Ah, I could relate to you wonderful stories of those happy days.

I could--" "But, my dear father," interrupted Lady Jane, secretly trembling at the terrible prospect of being forced to listen yet again to the story of his youthful love, which she had already heard times without number, "but, my dear father, doubtless you have not come hither so late at night in order to relate to me what I--forgive me, my lord--what I long since knew.

You will rather communicate to me what your keen and unerring glance has discovered here." "It is true," said Lord Douglas, sadly.

"I now sometimes become loquacious--a sure sign that I am growing old.

I have, by no means, come here to speak of the past, but of the present.